Teachers: Lesson Plan Forms

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 6:56pm

I have taught for decades, but I recently joined a new school district and am simply angered by the lesson plan forms. They want to know every move you are going to make in class in great detail. They then have the nerve to critique the plans. This has never happened to me before. I would like to hear other teachers' experiences with this.
I would like to make it clear that I teach bell-to-bell every day and have always planned my lessons; however, I resent an administrator who has not been around nearly as long as I finding fault with my plans.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:09pm

Wow it must really suck to have a job where your boss wants to know exactly what you're doing and how you're doing it. And critiquing your work? THAT must be awkward. I wonder what makes them think they can do that? Do they pay you or something?

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:12pm

I've been teaching in the same district for the past 7 years. I started there, and have been in the same room since my first year. This is the first time they're checking our lesson plans also. Frankly, I find it insulting. I think administration (who themselves sometimes wouldn't know the reality of teaching day to day any more than the politicians who are affecting these changes) should ONLY be checking on A)new teachers and B)teachers who've proven (either through observations or some other indication such as numerous parent complaints) that there's something wrong and they need to be monitored. We have so much to do, that the additional time for these is ridiculous. It's gotten to the point that the faculty in my school often ends up spending our meetings bitching at our principal about all the extra demands being put on us with NO support and no added benefits (and, on the whole, we actually LIKE the principal -- he's a good guy getting caught in a really bad political climate).

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:16pm

It just gets more and more unbelievable! I think you guys need to escape and get a job where you work maybe 9 months a year, 7 hours a day, and maybe 30 vacation days a year. Try to get a contract that promises annual raises and virtually no chance of getting fired.

But, really, WHERE could you ever find a job THAT cushy?

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:23pm

Thank you, Jason. That's exactly what I'm talking about. It is insulting and takes an incredible amount of time. I bloody well know what I'm doing and do it well. My prinicpal is also a person whom I like, but those lesson plan forms infuriate me.

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:32pm

Joe, I hope you're kidding, because if not, you sound like a moron -- and I have more respect for you than that.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 8:35pm

We have a rather detailed lesson plan form as well. Each day of every class I teach takes up a full page. There's an objective, listing of standards, anticipated problems, modifications to the lesson for IEP students, list of materials, the procedure, and then the assessment. The procedure has to follow a fairly stringent format as well. It must include a do now activity, some peer tutoring/checking, direct instruction, an activity, and the assessment.

Again, a lengthy procedure, that includes a lot of needless information. I once did not write "pencils and paper" in my materials list. One of the comments I received back was, "how will students complete assignment without pencils and paper?" I, foolishly, apparently, assumed that the need for a pencil in a classroom would be understood and not need to be written out.

All told, my weekly plans probably take about five hours to write, which is far too long in my opinion.

As for Joe, let's put Joe into a middle school classroom for a while and see how he does, and see if he has more respect for teachers afterwards.

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 8:41pm

Adam, that's INSANE. That sounds like the administration is in on all this nonsense right along with the states and federal mandates. At least I can say that my administration sees how ridiculous this all is, and is doing what they can to minimize it. Five hours of your time doing that is far too much - and I'm SURE you're not getting paid anything more.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 10:07pm

One of the reasons for my retirement was that the NYC Public Schools had implimented such practices. They wanted us to literally use a kitchen timer in the classroom so we'd have no more than five minutes for one activity, then 7 minutes for another activity, etc. It didn't allow for intelligent classroom discussions or worthwhile diversions (Ex: The name "Stella" in STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE once prompted a very good discussion about why Macy's uses a star in their logos). I was being observed at the time and was criticized for a "meaningless diversion".

Of course when my supervisor admitted that she didn't realize that Shakepeare's HAMLET was the Bard's longest play, I decided it was time to pack it in.

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 10:10pm

Wow. Dollypop, that's just incredible. Apparently your supervisor has never heard of a teachable moment? Glad he's not in my room -- I go on teachable tangents CONSTANTLY.

[singingwendy]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 11:10pm

I was just about to say that's what drives me nuts about those "every 2 minutes" lesson plans....there is no room for the "teachable moment".

in graduate school we had to read a music education philospher named Elliot Eisner, and he describes teaching as an art. A good teacher is truly an artist in the way he or she shapes the learning experiences of their students. And that means knowing when to spend more time on something, and when it's time to move on.

I am constantly dealing with that last one, as so often teachers deliver a class to my room with "well, they're really wound up. have fun!" If I've planned a class of sitting and singing out of books, we're going to have an awful class that day. However, if I can instead do a singing game to release some energy and get them focused, it can make all the difference in a successful class. Classes are living, breathing organisms, and there needs to be flexiblity within your teaching time.

Of course, that's not to say that I didn't require well written lesson plans from my student teacher this past spring. When you're just starting teaching, you need to be over planned and to detail exactly what you are going to do and what you need to do it. However, after a while, you shouldn't need to put that much time and effort into your plans. That said, I'm feeling extremely luck that no principal has EVER required me to complete a lesson plan form or hand in my plans a week ahead of time.

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:11am

Thank you all for posting.
Adam, that paper and pencil comment you received is all too typical.
Dolly, I can't believe that about using a timer. That is incredible!! At least I'm not dealing with that...yet.
Wendy, I love your comment about 'the teachable moment'.
For those going into the classroom later today, have a great day!!

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 7:19am

I taught for 10 years (until I had my son) and I know exactly what you guys are saying.

Plus, I think that one universal "lesson plan" is stupid for the reason that we are all different, and what works best for one person, might not work best for someone else.

[violet72]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:53am

We have to turn in lesson plans every week. Our plans in the elementary schools are not universal and as long as we put down what we are doing we are ok...ex we state the NJCCS, objective, procedures(what the gist of the lesson is), and evaluation. Now in the middle school we HAVE to do it in this format that is ridiculous, where we have to go step by step.

Joe I have so many friends that say the same thing but they don't realize that teaching is not a 8 to 3 job. We don't get paid during the summer so I have to get a summer job that is usually crappy. I work more then 8 to 3. This is my typical work day I get in school at 7am, teach at 3 different schools everyday, don't leave to go "home" til 5pm, then I have dinner and go back out at 6pm to the high school for play/marching band/indoor guard practices that I am running because I love it and also need more money(which isn't much under $2,000), so by the time I get home it's 10pm(I have gotten home at 11 during production weeks or parents not picking their kids up) and I have lessons to plan, materials to get ready for tomorrow, clothes to pick out.Then I pass out and start all over again. This is my Monday through Friday schedule. Some of my friends don't do the after school activities but they go home and cut out papers, grade papers, make up tests, and other things. My dad has been teaching for 35 yrs and I have never seen him come home and just relax.

Yes teaching isn't easy but when a student does well you feel you have made a difference. I almost cried the other night because one of my crew kids auditioned for the play. He has a severe stuttering problem and he did so well (not well enough to get a part) he made the chorus and was so happy. It's the little things that make this job worth while.

Sorry to thread jax

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 6:20pm

Dolly, early this morning I told the French teacher across the hall from me about your kitchen timer in the classroom. School has now been out for two hours, and she is still cursing under her breath.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 7:58pm

If teachers taught half as well as they whined we'd be the best educated nation on earth.

I wish every unhappy teacher would quit and try life in the real world.

[jasonf]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 8:26pm

Try teaching 140 kids a day with no or limited support from administration, little support from the parents of the kids who need it the most, insufficient pay (just about any other job with the same academic credentials gets paid far better), insufficient supplies, and more "decrees" from on high from people who have little or no idea what being in a classroom truly is, and see how well you do, Joe. You sound ridiculous saying that teachers are nothing but whiners. If, by your definition, every unhappy teacher quit, there'd be no more teachers left in this country. Teachers aren't given the respect they should (and are in other countries), and to suggest otherwise is naive and idiotic. I don't know if you're just trying to rile people up or you truly believe the nonsense you're posting, but seriously, try teaching for a week, then tell me how the real world is so much harder.

[KelRel]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 8:55pm

We too have to have lesson plans turned in ahead of time and follow the same format. I am a second year teacher so I don't mind so much, but if I had been teaching for longer and had already proved myself and this was just now "thrown" at me on top of the other ridiculous amounts of paperwork and documentation that we have to do I think I would scream. Its my second year and I've already been made a mentor to a teacher who is earning his teaching license through Teach For America. How that happened I'll never know, but I consider it a great compliment. Compliment or not its more work for me on top of differentiating my instruction for 27 kids who each have their own IEPs and needs and out of the whole class of 5th graders only 3 are on a 5th grade reading level. I have 5 that are on a 1st grade level and the range varies between 2-3.5 for the majority of the other kids. We have no assistants, very little assistance from the administration and there is no over time, no comp time, no real break. Our school day (students in seats) begins at 7:50am and ends at 4:15 (if parents are there on time). Teachers usually get in around 6:45-7:15 and stay until 5-6pm. Our school year is also two weeks longer than a normal school year since we are a charter school and we want to help all of our kids to achieve as much as possible throughout the school year. That means that we get 5 weeks in the summer for a "break" most of that time is spent helping to move classrooms, this summer will be to get ready for a remodel,and then we have 2 weeks PD on site and 1 week PD in Chicago. It is a lot of work, very little money, no extra money or reimbursement for the supplies that we buy out of pocket, and we also have to deal with crazy parents and unruly kids. All that being said it is worth it when you see a child succeed. All of the stress, the time away from home and family, the loss of your social life because you are at a Family Literacy Night or school performance is all worth it because you know that you have the opportunity to help change the lives and futures of a group of children. It is a huge responsibility, but one that I am grateful for the chance to do for a living.

[caitiesus1522]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:25pm

What you are doing Kel is amazing. I think charter schools are great and the teachers who teach there are greater. You do so much extra stuff to help your students. I was at a large book sale with two public school teachers and they couldn't understand why there were other teachers there buying 30 copies of a book for their classroom. I had to say that it was probably for a private, charter, or severely underfunded school and the only way the students would have books is if they teacher buys them. Kudos to you!

And f course to ALL of the teachers on this board. I tried to do what you do for a summer and I just could not deal with all of the teenagers. I loved working with the good ones, but how you not only deal with, but how you help all of your students amazes me. I think it is horrible that these regulations take away time from what is important.

Oh and since it isn't said enough...

To all the teachers (and former teachers) on this board

Thank You!
Thank You!
Thank You!

[violet72]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:30pm

If every unhappy teacher quit then who would teach? I am unhappy with the paperwork that we have to do. I spend more time doing paper work then teaching. I will probably never make over $80,000. I spend alot of my paycheck buying supplies that I need to teach.

One of the reasons we are not the best educated place in the world is because we educate EVERYONE. In Europe and Asia they test kids and if they are not "smart" enough they go to trade school or lower tier schools. You even have to take a test to get accepted into colleges. If you fail you don't go to college. That is why college is so cheap over there. Thats why they are "leading" us in education. They educate the elite and the smart and if you have a child that has learning disabilities or a special needs child then they don't educate them.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:38pm

IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY BEING A TEACHER, QUIT!

Please. Quit. Become an accountant or a bartender or a video store clerk or whatever, but please stop telling me what an awful awful life you have. I do not want you to be so unhappy working 8 or even 9 hours a day, 5 days a week, (except for the 15 holidays) 40 weeks a year. It must be awful- please please please go find other jobs. The rest of us (who havde NO IDEA how hard you work) all have jobs with much more time off, shorter hours, and virtually unlimited automony. You deserve one too.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:01pm

New York City's public schools have been a mess since Mayor Bloomberg took over the schools. He's brought in people who are businessmen and not educators. They are forcing teachers to use this inane "balanced literacy" program which impliments the use of kitchen timers. Also, the program requires desks to be grouped in "clusters" rather than "rows". This is supposed to foster group learning, but to me that means one kid does the work and the others get a free ride so they can make drug deals and pick up girls.

The principal declared (one week before grades were due) that the school had a "project based curriculum" and that any student who turned in a project had completed 65% of his/her work for the semester. As "65" was passing, a kid could turn in anything and pass for the marking period.

I also learned that this beloved principal was changing grades. There was one student who never came to class, so I gave her a "50"--the lowest grade I could give. One of the ladies who worked in the attendance office called me over and asked what I'd given the student. I told her and she presented me with a print-out of the girl's report card. The principal had changed my grade to a "75". Rumor has it the principal was screwing the girl's mother--a strong possibility because his wife had caused a major flap when she walked into his office unannounced and found him in a "compromising position" with a female aide.

Is there any wonder why I hated that place?

[caitiesus1522]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:01pm

Joe just SHUT UP. Every post you make makes you look more and more like an idiot.

What the hell so YOU do? Unless you are a fire fighter, police office, or doctor just SHUT UP. You wouldn't be sitting here writing a post on a website if it was not for teachers. You wouldn't be reading or writing anything. You wouldn't be able to work anywhere without knowing what you learned in school from teachers.

Teachers have to deal with ***hole students and parents and administrators like you everyday and they do it because they want to help students get a better life. Go read the teachers unite thread and you will read so many stories about the things the teachers on this board do for their students that go above and beyond what you claim if what they have to deal with.

I would love to know how someone can claim teachers only work the hours you claim when people tell you they work more and they DON'T get paid over the summer even though they have to work over the summer for their jobs. Without getting paid for it.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:06pm

JoeKv-
I thought the same thing, until I spent a year in the education program. After seeing all the pointless BS teachers go through, any of them that stay, must have the patience of a saint, and the courage of 10 men. And I personally decided I could not deal with it.

I applaud any person who can do it.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:06pm

Any person who seriously thinks that teachers only work 7 hours a day and 9 months a year is absolutely deluded.